Wilmington Tunnel Collapse: 31 workers were successfully rescued who were trapped inside a tunnel in Wilmington, Los Angeles, following its collapse according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
After the collapse inccident, LAFD launched an emergency operation, deploying over 100 responders, including its specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams, to the site on the 1700 block of South Figueroa Street, and succesfully resuing the workers.
Thankfully a tragedy was avoided tonight because @LAFD sprang into action immediately when they got word of workers trapped deep underground when the Clearwater tunnel collapsed in #Wilmington. Relieved to see the workers are all safe and accounted for. Thank you to our first… pic.twitter.com/vDjQgSx8OG
— Nanette D. Barragán (@RepBarragan) July 10, 2025
Details of the Wilmington Tunnel Collapse InciLAFD,dent
According tp the local reports and statemnts by the authorities, collapse happened deep inside the Los Angeles Effluent Outfall Tunne which is currently under construction as part of the $630.5 million Clearwater Project.
The collapse rescue was a complicated mission per authorities as the incident happened nearly six miles into the tunnel, approximately 450 feet underground.
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The tunnel section that collapsed was the only access point in that area, making the situation even more challenging for first rescurers, authorities said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn in a statement confirmed that all 31 workers were rescued and brought to safety with no visible injuries reported. The workers had to climb a soil mound estimated between 12 to 15 feet high to escape the collapsing section of the tunnel.
Mayor Karen Bass Expresses Gratitude On Wilmington Tunnel Collapse Rescue Efforts
Mayor Karen Bass expressed her gratitude towards the rescue teams on social media platform X, stating, “I just spoke with many of the workers who were trapped. Thank you to all of our brave first responders who acted immediately. You are L.A.’s true heroes.”
She further added, “The City of Los Angeles has mobilized resources to the tunnel collapse in Wilmington. More than 100 LAFD responders have been deployed, including Urban Search and Rescue teams. Thank you to all of those who are acting immediately to respond to this emergency.”
Wilmington Tunnel Clearwater Project
The tunnel is part of a seven-mile-long, 18-foot-wide infrastructure project being constructed by Flatiron Dragados. This effort is aimed at modernizing the aging wastewater system for Los Angeles County. The Clearwater Project will replace old tunnels built in 1937 and 1958 that have been in continuous use since.
According to L.A. County Sanitation District documents from July 2024, the tunnel construction was scheduled to be completed by April 2025. The entire Clearwater Project is expected to be finished by 2027, with the new tunnel slated to open in January 2028.
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Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
